Matkomnai Health Centre & Drimgas Aid Post Materials Deployment

On the 1st of October, the North Fly Health Services Development Program (NFHSDP) and the CMCA Middle South Fly Program (CMSFHP) delivered building materials for the Drimgas Aid Post, the Community Health Worker (CHW) trainee students’ accommodation and for the maintenance work at Matkomnai Health Centre (HC). The team consisted of NFHSDP and CMSFHP infrastructure officer Wanai Hari, locally engaged casuals Murphy Tona and Quai Hari, and with logistics assistance from Tommy Transport.

The maintenance conducted at Matkomnai Health Centre was at the outpatient department. Sr Philomena expressed her appreciation for the work and assistance that NFHSDP has given to develop the Health Centre over the years.

Matkomnai Health Centre is managed by the Catholic Health Services with Sr Philomena Sanduku managing the facility. Since the beginning of the NFHSDP, the Health Centre has received assistance from the program including installation of a hot water system connection for the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Building, VIP toilet construction for staff, maintenance at the outpatient area and other infrastructure works, and on-the-job training for health workers.

Mr Hari and the infrastructure team also deployed building materials to Drimgas Aid Post to assist the health facility to build a semi-permanent house to host CHW trainees from Rumginae CHW School. CHW Samson thanked the infrastructure team for their assistance and manpower in developing the health facility. He also mentioned that he believes the Aid Post is well-equipped and hopes to see the Aid Post’s status upgraded to a Health Centre.

Drimgas Aid Post was built in 2016 with financial assistance from the World Bank. The facility is managed by the Adventist Health Services and CHW Samson Umbre oversees the daily clinics. The facility has a catchment area that includes villages in the Upper Fly area. The NFHSDP has also assisted the Aid Post by installing a vaccine fridge, a new VHF radio and other infrastructure works.

NFHSDP and CMSFHP are funded by Ok Tedi Mining Limited, managed by Ok Tedi Development Foundation and implemented by Abt Associates.